CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Two Evenings

Seventh—Yes, I will hope! Tonight, I heard Grimsby and Hattersley complaining together about Arthur, and his recent disinterest in being careless and wild.

"I thought he wouldn't act uncivilly for long, but I thought our Mrs Huntingdon would have to threaten to make us leave. I didn't think he would stop this wild behaviour this way," Mr Hattersley told him.

"But, he'll change again when he's tired of her. If we come here in a year or two, we shall be merry and wild again," Grimsby said.

"I don't know," replied Hattersley, "she's not the style of woman you soon get tired of."

As I left the room, I smiled at them, and walked out to find my husband. I found him walking outside. I put my arms around him and kissed his cheek. He smiled, then looked at me with a look of shocking astonishment.

"Helen! What are you doing out here?"

"I scared you?" I asked him with a laugh, "How nervous you are!"

"Go back inside, Helen, you'll soon be ill if you stay out here."

"I have to tell you something. They are blaming you, Arthur, for refusing to drink and becoming wild, but I want to thank you. I hope you will continue with this new behaviour, and I will love you even more!"

"Well, well, I will! Now go in the house, quickly, or you'll be ill!" he said anxiously.

That evening, I was quite content with my husband, and rather friendly with the guests, even Lady Lowborough.

9th—Yesterday, when Rachel came to assist me in dressing for dinner, she looked quite upset. She had been crying.

"What is the matter, Rachel? Why have you been crying?" I asked her.

"Well, Ma'am, I don't like Mr Huntingdon's behaviour," she paused, "You should be careful about that Lady Lowborough. If I were you, I would not allow her to be in this house any longer!"

I was shocked. At that moment, Milicent entered my room. At dinner, I watched my husband and Lady Lowborough quite carefully, but noticed no strange behaviour. After dinner, Mr Hargrave came to me, looking quite anxious.

"May I tell you something, Mrs Huntingdon?" he asked, without looking at me.

"If it is important, please do tell me."

"Do you notice that Annabella is not nearby? And have you also noticed that Mr Huntingdon has also disappeared?"

"Well?" I asked impatiently.

"They've gone outside together, where you found your husband outside last night."

Without a word, I stood up and walked quickly outside. Soon enough, I found them near a few trees in the yard, hidden from view. I silently walked near them, without them hearing me move.

"Ah, Huntingdon!" I heard Lady Lowborough say. "It was here you kissed your wife, that silly woman!"

"Well, dearest, I must not upset her. I have certainly seen you kiss your foolish husband, but I never complain," my husband said to her!

"But, you don't love her, not even a little?" she asked, as she smiled at him.

"Not even a little bit," he replied, as he kissed her cheek.

She then ran back to the house, and he soon followed. I was too shocked and hurt to move. After a short time, I returned to the house. How could I bear my future life? I walked into the dark, empty dining room, where all was silent. As the guests were returning to their rooms to sleep, I opened the door just as Arthur was walking by. I asked him to come into the dining room.

"Helen, what is the matter with you? You look ill?" he asked, looking annoyed that I bothered him.

"No matter," I answered, "since you no longer love me, I no longer love you," I paused, "I would leave you tomorrow if I did not have our child to care for."

"Helen, what is the matter with you? What are you speaking of?"

"You know. I saw you tonight outside with someone else," I said coldly.

He was silent.

"Well!—What then?" he asked angrily.

"Will you let me take our child and the rest of my fortune and leave?"

"No, of course not!"

"Well, will you let me have the child then, without the money?"

"No—nor yourself without the child. Do you think I want to look like a fool—left by my wife! No, you may not leave!"

"Then I must stay here to be hated. But, I will never again love you as a wife loves a husband."

"Very good."

"So, do not pretend to love me any longer, I cannot bear it."

"Very good, my lady."

(end of section)